Cardinal Sean O’Malley on Pope Francis

The cardinal said Francis' early stress has been on changing the emphasis of the church, which in the past has been "too strident, maybe too repetitious."
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images

Cardinal Sean O’Malley on Pope Francis

Cardinal Sean O'Malley cautions that those with high expectations that the shift in tone from Pope Francis presages major changes in church teachings on contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and other flashpoint issues are likely to be disappointed.

Essdras M. Suarez/Globe Staff
| February 9, 2014

"I don't see the pope as changing doctrine," the Roman Catholic archbishop of Boston said. Pictured: Pope Francis waved to pilgrims at St. Peter's Square on Wednesday.

VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
| February 9, 2014

The cardinal said Francis' early stress has been on changing the emphasis of the church, which in the past has been "too strident, maybe too repetitious."

VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
| February 9, 2014

The pope, pictured during his July trip to Brazil, wants to focus more on evangelism, mercy, and care for the poor, according to O'Malley.

Luca Zennaro/AP/file 2013
| February 9, 2014

"The church needs to be faithful to the Gospel and to Christ's teaching," O'Malley said. "Sometimes that's very difficult. We have to follow what Christ wants, and trust that what he asks of us is the best thing."